VP at 58: An outlier with a cause

In sum, providence, unalloyed altruism and the common touch, propelled him to the hustings and largely, these attributes leapfrogged Senator Kashim Shettima to Olympian heights, culminating in the Vice President position. Specifically, the long and tortuous journey, like a fairy tale, started some 21 years ago, in the run up to the 2003 gubernatorial election.

In Borno, the contest was a three horse race, among a sitting governor, a serial gubernatorial candidate and a swashbuckling young man, each jostling to govern the state. Naturally, Governor Mala Kachalla, the Alliance for Democracy(AD) candidate, enjoyed the power of incumbency. Likewise, Alhaji Kashim Imam, a well-heeled politician, had a rich political pedigree, friends in high places and the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), his political party that controlled the centre. However, Senator Ali Modu Sherrif, the All Peoples Party(APP) flag bearer, was a lone wolf with a cult of personality.

Ultimately, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, as a young banker, sacrificed kinship, family affiliation and sundry ties. Indeed, he pitched tent with Sheriff, the political underdog that he hardly knew. Kashim, as the election approached, took a leave of absence, pulled off his designer suits and left Zenith Bank on his hunches. Thereafter, he met with some friends, mobilized resources and hit the campaign trail on a solo run. However, his presence was noticed but the accidental politician, in a manner of speaking, remained in the background, winning hearts and minds for APP. Sherrif, like the proverbial David, defeated the incumbent Goliath and Kashim, with mission accomplished, returned to his job as a private citizen.

In 2007, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, without a stir, was beckoned to serve Borno State Government. Variously, he headed the Ministry of Finance, Local Government and Education Ministries, at different times. Indeed, his prudence as a banker, knack for details as a bibliophile and concern for the common good, stood him out in the State Executive Council. However, being a dove amongst hawks, in my humble opinion, was Kashim’s sterling quality, a trait that attracted both the envy and respect of his colleagues.

Brash, short-tempered and generous, Governor Ali Modu Sheriff took no prisoners as he saw critics as enemies, harassed the opposition and cross swords with some journalists. Conversely, Kashim built bridges, tore down walls of misunderstanding and won over adversaries, by simply being himself. Largely, he engaged across board, rejoiced with people in moments of joy and mourned their bereavements. Ironically, some Commissioners saw this as condescending but Sherrif, totally out of character, thought otherwise and Kashim became his conciliator. Indeed, positively and negatively, Kashim became a marked man in government.

Silently, as his administration was ending, Governor Sherriff settled for Kashim as possible successor but kept things to his chest. However, before long, the choice became an open secret and elements within and outside government plotted against it. Specifically, they promoted Mala Modu Sherriff, the governor’s younger brother, to succeed him but His Excellency kicked against it, arguing that Borno State is not a monarchy. Indeed, after the back and forth, both camps met mid way and finally, Engr Fannami Gubio, the governor’s cousin, became the ANPP candidate. Sadly, by force majeure, Kashim Shettima became the emergency candidate. Gubio, in January 2011, was shot dead after Friday prayers in Maiduguri, along with his 10 year old son. Kashim, without much ado, was put on the ballot and the rest is now history.

Significantly, Governor Kashim Shettima’s two terms, in more ways than one, were unprecedented as gun shots, bomb explosions and abductions rocked Borno state. However, in spite of them, he built mega schools, world class infrastructure and held the state together. Predictably, hangers-on and political jobbers, without success, tried to pitch him against Sheriff but Kashim was not districted by their antics. Largely, he focused on governance, executed projects and kept hope alive and avoided political machinations.

In 2019, he went to the National Assembly, to represent Borno Central Senatorial District, having been voted his people. Indeed, at the Red Chamber, he gave a good account of himself, represented his constituency and helped in making laws for the good of the country. Kashim, according to close associates, planned to return to the academia afterwards, but the Almighty had other plans for him.

Specifically, he plunged into the Asiwaju Project, as it was then called, campaigned for Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s presidential aspiration with passion. Again, he spurned personal relationships, ethno-regional considerations and pitched for Tinubu, anchoring it on equity, reciprocity and fairness. Kashim, in this regard, went overboard as he castigated fellow aspirants, lampooned their various bids and called some of them names, in contradiction to his persona and famed decency. Indeed, on first ballot, Asiwaju Tinubu clinched the APC ticket and thereafter, the jostling for his running mate began.

Expectedly, interests groups promoted different candidates, touting various credentials and building several scenarios for a successful general election. However, Tinubu chose Kashim and the Muslim/Muslim ticket, as well as the South-West/North East combination, stirred the political waters. In the end, the electorate voted for APC but undaunted, fifth columnists are working day and night, planting stories of an imaginary rift between the Vice president and his principal. Surely, the race for 2027 has started within APC and since Tinubu, as sitting president, has the right of first refusal, Kashim is the soft target. As always, the child of destiny is not losing sleep, as his loyalty to the president, his commitment to the Renewed Hope Project and the confidence of his principal are beyond question.